Dr Henry Prempeh, Health Protection Consultant and Immunisation Co-ordinator is urging parents and carers to ensure their child gets their flu vaccine this winter.
The flu vaccine is usually given as a painless nasal spray and is a safe way to help protect your child against flu. It should start to protect most children against flu about 10-14 days after being vaccinated and will reduce the risk of your child getting flu or spreading it to family and friends who are at greater risk from flu.
Consent forms and information about this year’s flu vaccine will be issued to school children in the coming days. Parents and carers of school aged children are being urged to return the signed consent form to the school as soon as possible.
All primary and secondary school pupils with consent to be given the flu vaccine nasal spray will receive this at school between 16 September and the end of January 2025.
Dr Prempeh said: “The flu virus changes every year, that’s why it’s important to get your child vaccinated so that your child has the most up to date protection. Getting your child vaccinated against flu can also protect them from other infections with bacteria that can follow flu, and prevent them from getting sick and missing out on nursery, school or other activities.
“Please look out for your child’s consent form in their school bag, and complete and return this to their school to ensure they get the vital protection this year’s flu vaccine offers.”
Influenza (flu) is an infectious respiratory virus. Symptoms may include a fever, a cough, a headache, and tiredness.
The annual vaccine offers protection against the most common types of flu virus that are around each winter.
